The Stormers XXIII team, despite several serious injuries, is preparing for a decisive match in the Currie Cup tournament. This game is one of the final rounds of the group stage, where teams are fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
In the penultimate round of the Currie Cup, important matchups are scheduled for several South African franchises that need victories to maintain their chances of participating in the national tournament. For Stormers XXIII and the Lions, this could be their last chance to qualify for the quarter-finals this year.
Both teams are playing away, which complicates matters for the visiting sides. The matches will take place in Pretoria (starting at 17:00) and Durban (starting at 19:00), and they must earn at least four points to remain in contention.
Clash in Loftus
The Stormers will arrive at Loftus Versfeld stadium for the North-South derby. The team will be presented with a new captain and a restructured squad due to several serious injuries, which does not bode well for the Cape Tonians, especially given the necessity of a win.
Ezekiel Ngobeni will lead the team as scrum-half, as teammate Stephan Ungerer and permanent captain and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis are out due to injuries; du Plessis underwent wrist surgery. Among the forwards, lock Gary Porter and wingers Keke Morabe (scaphoid fracture, eight weeks) and Vandile Mlaba are also on the injury list. However, Porter and Mlaba may return for the final league match.
The loss of such significant experienced players puts the Stormers in a vulnerable position from the start of the game. Head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb stated that despite the injuries, his team is ready to accept the challenge. He noted: 'North-South in Loftus is a big game regardless of anyone's position on the list, and it has always been a special fixture from the very first time.'
The coach added that the players are ready to give their maximum effort, and this match will further raise the level of energy in the competition.
For the Bulls, this is a chance to secure their first victory of the campaign against a weakened team. Nevertheless, they know that many young Stormers players will be fighting for positions in the URC. Three players will debut in the Loftus match, increasing the total number of debuts in the Currie Cup to 27.
Situation in Durban and Other Matches
In Durban, the Lions trail the fourth-placed Boland Cavaliers, and a win against the Sharks XV will allow them to put pressure on their rivals. Since the Cavaliers only play on Sunday, the Johannesburg team could take third or fourth place if they win with bonus points over the struggling Durbanites.
In other matches, defending champions Griquas will battle their opponents, the Pumas, to maintain their leading positions as the playoffs approach. The clash in Mbombela will begin at 15:00, preceding the major test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Stormers XXIII Squad:
The Stormers XXIII squad includes: 15 Luka Burger, 14 Joel Letlela, 13 Marcus Muller, 12 Corneel Smith, 11 Mfundo Ndlovu, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Sola Nyali, 5 Luan Botha, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Mkhleli Huzwayo. Reserves: 16 Altus Rabie, 17 Henkus van Wyk, 18 Danny Kruger, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Eric Basson, 21 Tian Fury, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Gino Cupido.
Bulls XV Squad:
The Bulls XV squad includes: 15 Hakim Kunene, 14 Marnus Reademeier, 13 Demitres Erasmus, 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Riyad Bam, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Keegan Johannes (captain), 8 JJ Teron, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Sintu Manjizi, 4 Heinrich Teron, 3 Arno Gustafson, 2 Sifosetu Mnebhelele, 1 Dylan Smith. Reserves: 16 John Hobson, 17 Sandy Msengana, 18 Duwan Potgieter, 19 Jonathan Eloff, 20 Chinedu Amadi, 21 Safas van Bijljon, 22 Brooklyn Newman, 23 Christian.